A.—No. 2.

STo. 531. Dec. 15, 1868.

No. 1. His Honor J. P. Taylor to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Southland, 2nd December, 186,8. I have the honor to enclose herewith (in duplicate), for the signification of His Excellency's pleasure thereon, the following reserved Bills, passed by the Provincial Council of Southland, viz.:— " The Diversion of Roads Ordinance, 1868 ;" " Alteration of Eeservcs Ordinance, 1868 ;" " Hospital Ordinance, 1863, Amendment Ordinance, 1868 ;" " The Tolls Ordinance, 1866, Amendment Ordinance, 1868 ;" " Sale of Eeserve Ordinance, 1865." I have, &c, Jxo. P. Taylor, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 2. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor J. P. Taylor. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, — Wellington, 15th December, 1868. The " Diversion of Roads Ordinance, 1868," forwarded in your Honor's letter of the 2nd instant for the signification of the Governor's pleasure thereon, has been under consideration. By this Bill the land over which the old road passed is to be given in exchange for other land over which the new road is to pass; but provision is made that the land for the new lino is to be conveyed to the Superintendent. lam advised that the land should not be conveyed to the Superintendent, but surrendered to the Crown, and that this latter course was intended by the Legislature, and provides the only means by which the exchange in question could be made. His Excellency has been accordingly advised to withhold his assent to this Bill. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Southland. E. W. Stafford.

No. 3. His Honor J. P. Taxlor to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Southland, 29th December, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of number and date as per margin, enclosing a Bill intituled "The Division of Eoads Ordinance, 1868," passed by the Provincial Council of the Province of Southland, and reserved for the assent of the Governor thereon, and informing mo that for the reasons stated therein His Excellency's assent had been withheld. I have, &c, Jjto. P. Taylor, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 4. His Honor W. Rollestox to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Superintendent's Office, Sir, — Christchurch, Canterbury, 29th December, 186 S. I have the honor to forward an Ordinance passed by the Provincial Council of Canterbury during its last session, to he submitted to His Excellency. I find, subsequently to giving my assent to it, that there are objections to it which will render it impossible to carry it out. The section 2, clause 5, of the Schedule of "The Roads Ordinance, 1864," should have been repealed, as part of the Rangiora and Mandeville Road District is, by the Ordinance, taken to form the Eyreton District. There are, moreover, no provisions in the Ordinance for election of members of the newlyconstituted Board. Under the circumstances, I shall be glad if the Government would see fit to advise His Excellency to disallow the Ordinance. As the Road Boards, as originally constituted, would meet on the sth January, it is important that I should know your decision as early as possible, and I shall esteem it a favour if you will telegraph it to me before that date.

DISALLOWANCE OF PROVINCIAL BILLS.